Who should the OKC Thunder trade up for in the NBA Draft?
By Rylan Stiles
Jarace Walker might be the best fit in the 2023 NBA Draft for the OKC Thunder.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are in an interesting position at pick 12, and looking to move up, coming off a 40-win season and NBA play-in bid. Fans are ready for the next step in the rebuild. However, the front office is saying they need to finish their breakfast, and the Western Conference remains strong on paper with possible offseason improvements.
Moving up in this draft to grab Jarace Walker would put this roster in a great spot. Walker ranked in the 89th percentile in overall defense and 63rd percentile in overall offense a year ago.
Related Story. Jarace Walker seems like the perfect fit for the OKC Thunder. light
Before March Madness, I considered Walker the perfect prospect for the Oklahoma City Thunder. But a lot can change in 13 weeks; it appears there is no way Walker falls to 12 or possibly even close to it come draft night.
Walker averaged 11 points, six rebounds, an assist, and 2.3 STOCKS per game, shooting 46 percent from the floor, 34 percent from beyond the arc, and 66 percent at the free throw line.
According to Synergy, Jarace Walker ranks in the 73rd percentile on cuts, 88th percentile in transition, and 66th percentile on post-ups. At the rim, Walker scored at a 66 percent clip, good enough for the 84th percentile, with encouraging catch-and-shoot numbers (37 percent).
If the OKC Thunder landed Jarace Walker on draft night, that would be pretty exciting.